'Mask requirement key to keeping schools open' takeaway for Hofmeister after Birx meeting

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — There's a new warning for Oklahoma, following a meeting with White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx.

Dr. Birx said Sunday that Oklahoma is a month behind seeing asymptomatic spread happening in other southern states and that Oklahoma needs to avoid this spread.

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister is paying close attention to this update, especially as more students head back to the classroom this month and kids are likely to be more asymptomatic than adults.

"Dr. Birx reminded us that in Oklahoma we could be just weeks away from that kind of spread," said Hofmeister. "So, this was something we should take to heart. She really underscored that our schools K-12 have to be apart of our public response in flattening the curve."

Hofmeister says the key to keeping our schools open is having a mask requirement in communities seeing high transmission.

Governor Kevin Stitt continues to refuse to implement a statewide mask mandate, saying such an order would be difficult to enforce. But we've seen the power of a mask mandate in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Data shows that mask requirements in these cities are contributing to declines in new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

"These are the trends we want to see," said Hofmeister. "It is definitely making it possible in the coming weeks for that transmission to lower enough so that schools can open for in-person learning."

Meanwhile, districts are doing all they can to keep up by issuing masks in schools, rigorous hand washing, and physical distancing.

Hofmeister says they're changes that won't last forever but necessary for this new, unique school year. She adds that Oklahoma can learn from other schools about how they're returning to the classroom, especially in other countries.

"They didn't start school until the transmission rate was very low, below 5%. We can learn how they were able to stay open without the disruption of closures because they were very vigilant with mask-wearing," said Hofmeister. "Our kids are counting on us to get this right so that they can have uninterrupted learning as we start school."

The next for the State Board of Education is August 27th. Hofmeister says the board is eager to have updates on how our schools are doing, especially the ones who have pushed back their start date.